On July 9, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as chair of the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF), released an updated Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) strategy to prevent the importation of goods mined, produced, or manufactured with forced labor in the People’s Republic of China (PRC).The updated UFLPA strategy identifies new high-priority sectors for enforcement.
High-Priority Sectors
- Aluminum
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- Seafood
These industries were identified due to higher risk of forced or state labor transfer of Uyghurs and other minorities from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). The new high-priority sectors will be targeted for reviews by the FLETF, potentially leading to enforcement measures such as listing on the UFLPA Entity List, restrictions on exports, economic penalties, and visa bans—to hold those entities involved accountable in forced labor practices.
DHS is committed to eliminating forced labor from US supply chains and will work with its partners to enforce Customs laws, support economic fairness, and safeguard human rights.
To counteract items of forced labor from entering your sales channel and global supply chains, you should have a documented comprehensive and transparent social compliance system in place. If you need guidance on starting or enhancing a social compliance system for your company, contact Mohawk Global Trade Advisors.